Aviation Training Center, Mobile

Commanding Officer

Captain Scott E. Lugo

Captain Lugo assumed command of the Coast Guard’s Aviation Training Center in April 2023 and is responsible for all aspects of Coast Guard pilot and aircrew training, including the standardization for 26 air stations and 43 flight deck-equipped Coast Guard cutters, the development of Coast Guard aviation capabilities, and an operational element that provides disaster surge response and 24/7 a fixed-wing operational response and for America's Gulf Coast.

Enlisting into the Coast Guard in 1992, he completed non-rated tours in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Station Miami Beach prior to attending Aviation Structural Mechanic School. Reassigned to Air Station Miami, he qualified as HU-25 Falcon Aircrew and Dropmaster Instructor, and in 2001, attended Officer Candidate School and Flight Training under the reenacted Aviation Candidate Program.

Earning his Wings of Gold in 2002, he went on to fly operational tours in the HU-25 Falcon and HC-144 Ocean Sentry at Air Stations Cape Cod and Miami, where he served as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner. Prior to his recent Headquarters assignment, he served as ATC Mobile’s Operations Officer; managing the operational risk and employment of 17 aircraft and crews, providing the Coast Guard Eighth District an operational response capability. He also served the Training Department’s Fixed-Wing Chief, directing the development and execution of the Coast Guard’s fixed-wing aviation standardization, simulation, and training programs.

Captain Lugo’s staff assignments include serving as the Executive Support Staff Chief for the Deputy Commandant for Operations, leading the coordination, distribution, tracking, and review of all enterprise correspondence supporting the Commandant, Vice Commandant, Area, Congressional staffs. He also served as the West Africa Desk Officer at U.S. Africa Command, working alongside our interagency and foreign partners to develop and implement counternarcotics programs for eight African nations.

Captain Lugo has earned a Bachelor of Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Arts from the U.S. Naval War College, where he was a member of the international cohort. He has flown over 4,800 hours in military aircraft, and holds several FAA pilot certifications and type-ratings.

Captain Lugo’s military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation and Achievement Medals, and other team and service awards.

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, he is married to his wonderful wife Lynn, and have two children, Hannah and Jackson, who currently attend Auburn University.